bcp and female stuff question inside

[Willing and Unsure]

i'm kinda confused.. so i need a little help here (and i dont want to start worrying if i dont have to).. i started taking birth control pills about 3.5 weeks ago, and i'm taking Ortho TriCyclen.. they say the green pills in the middle are the ones you take after you take all the blue pills and you should have your period then.. however, that'll only make it three weeks then between my last period and this one.. but going by that, i'm late and about to skip this month.. and i really dont want to start to think i'm pregnant since i dont think its possible for me to be this time (the last time i had sex was two days after my last period... about 2.5 weeks ago)... but should i start worrying that i'm late or pregnant or any of that stuff or should i wait and see?

 

[Calamity Jane]

If you're REALLY worried, take a test... but i'd venture a guess and say that you're fine. If you just started on the pills, sometimes it takes awhile for your body to get used to them and behave 'normally'. It's totally ok to be irregular at first. If it isn't sorted out within about 3 months, you should talk to your doctor about a different perscription.

The opposite problem is also fairly normal btw. When I was on OrthoTriCyclen, I started my period with the first 'fake' pill, and bled for three months. Not an experience I care to repeat.

Anyway, if you want to err on the side of caution, go to the drugstore and get a test. Otherwise, don't stress about it (that can affect your cycle too) and look forward to a period free month!

 

[CelestialBody]

 

[Mellon Collie]

Did you start taking them the Sunday after your last period? You're timeline there is a little confusing.

 

[MissTaken]

Yes. The timeline is a bit confusing.

Also, were you taking antibiotics this month? The pill is rendered ineffective when you take antibiotics.

~wagging finger~

Never, ever, ever, ever forget that!

 

[Debbie]

Don't quote me because I've never been on the pill but I also heard that:


If you have a stomach upset: Diarrhoea within 12 hours of taking your pill may stop your pill being absorbed. Go on taking the pill but use another method as well. Do this all the time you are ill and for 7 days after. If you have diarrhoea during the last, 7 days of the pack, start a new pack straight after you have finished taking the rest of the pills in the current pack.
If you are sick and vomit, take another pill of the same colour from a spare pack after letting your stomach settle. If you are sick again within two hours of taking this one, go on taking the pill the next day as usual and follow the extra precautions advice, as if you had missed a pill.


If you have to take other medicines: Some medicines on prescription make the pill less effective. These include some antibiotics, drugs for epilepsy, pain killers and sedatives. Always tell the doctor you are on the pill and get medical advice. You may have to use another method as well as the pill while you are on the medicines and for 7 days after. If you start the medicines during the last 7 days of the pack, start a new pack straight after you have finished taking the rest of the pills in the current pack.



I found a site too that I thought might be useful

http://www.teenwire.com/index.asp

 

[freakygirl]

Shouldn't you always use other methods of birth control for the first three months? I thought that is what my doc told me YEARS ago when i was on the pill

 

[freakygirl]

Here maybe these will help

http://www.pplm.org/p.html
http://obgyn.uihc.uiowa.edu/Patinfo/Bcontrol/28daypil.htm

good luck Willing..

 

[BlondeBeauty]

I'm not sure about the timeline either...

And I've never been on the Pill...

Just keep in mind that stress (especially when you're a college student) can still impact your periods.

If you have any doubts, though, why not get it checked? Doesn't your college have an inexpensive clinic (or maybe that's just mine?)?

 

[RisiaSkye]

Shouldn't you always use other methods of birth control for the first three months? I thought that is what my doc told me YEARS ago when i was on the pill

Back when I took the pill, my doc told me it only took one full week to be effective.

I also skipped my period the first month I was on the pill. From what I understand, it's not exactly common, but it's not rare either. Your hormone balance may be screwed up for a month or more. If it happens again next month, be concerned but not freaked.

In the meantime, take a test to make doubly sure. Though I'm sure you're fine, it's still a good idea. Taking a pregnancy test will do two things: stop you from worrying, which can delay your period; and let you know good and early, if you are pregnant--taking the pill while pregnant can cause serious birth defects, not to mention time is of the essence in considering your options.

 

[Willing and Unsure]

if y'all want specific dates, i think i can provide them to clear anything up

the timeline thing... its a sunday start.. and since my last period started on a sunday, i was supposed to start taking them on that day.. so supposedly my period was supposed to start around the same time i started taking the green pills in the pack, and it kind of did. i bled for about 3 hours (at most).. and i'm just kinda confused if maybe i should expect to get my period next week maybe instead of this week.. if i'm supposed to have my period this week (according to the pills), then i've either already had it or i'm late, and it's been three weeks (to the day) since my last period started.. i last had sex (meaning intercourse.. and most definitely with a condom... he's more afraid of me getting pregnant than i am) 2 days after my last period ended which was about 2.5 weeks ago now

the only reason i asked was because i did kinda freak out this morning when i realised a lot of this.. i'm not saying it isnt possible for me to be pregnant and all, i'm just wondering if the little bit i did have of it was it for this month or maybe there's something wrong with me and i should get checked out and all that stuff

 

[Calamity Jane]

My GYN told me that ANY amount of bleeding is considered a period. Especially your first couple months on the pill... even just very light spotting.

So, if you had even a 3 hour 'period' then, technically, you can assume you're ok. But I'd go buy a couple tests just to have around. It never hurts to know for sure.

 

[Willing and Unsure]

i guess sending him on a trip to wallyworld wont be a bad idea then... its partly his fault if i am.. so i guess that'll be our afternoon of fun tomorrow )

 

[PrettySarcasticF]

I am on the same birth control pill you are & like every one said the first 3 months you should use other forms of protection.... my gyno told me to use a spermicide along with condoms. Since you barely started the pill your period will be irregular & you might not even get it... and you should read the info that comes with your pills. Its gives you all the ifs & ands to the pill and what do if you skip a pill and so forth. Take time to read I am sure it will shed some light on your questions.

 

[Willing and Unsure]

I am on the same birth control pill you are & like every one said the first 3 months you should use other forms of protection.... my gyno told me to use a spermicide along with condoms. Since you barely started the pill your period will be irregular & you might not even get it... and you should read the info that comes with your pills. Its gives you all the ifs & ands to the pill and what do if you skip a pill and so forth. Take time to read I am sure it will shed some light on your questions.

i've read and read... i think i could recite it i've read it so many times... i expected to be irregular.. but not to the extent of it lasting 3 hours and then disappearing... i've never been irregular (not even when i first started getting my period)... that's kinda why i'm confused... cuz it's an awfully short month if i'm supposed to be on my period right now..

 

[freakygirl]

i've read and read... i think i could recite it i've read it so many times... i expected to be irregular.. but not to the extent of it lasting 3 hours and then disappearing... i've never been irregular (not even when i first started getting my period)... that's kinda why i'm confused... cuz it's an awfully short month if i'm supposed to be on my period right now..

Willing, ok i've done some reading on this (and i'm also a trained OB nurse, just not working as one right now)

BC pills are a hormone... and as you know hormones control everything in our bodies.

By putting MORE hormones into your body, you are essentially confusing it. It doesn't know if you are supposed to have a period now or not.

You will be irregular until your body becomes accustomed to having these extra hormones. The hormones in BC pills make your body "think" it's pregnant. You are probably going to become a little more emotional in the next few weeks also.

If it would put your mind at ease, take a pregnancy test (you could probably go to the Health Dept for a free one)
The over the counter ones work just as well (if done correctly), but why pay for it if the health dept will do it for free?

Continue to take the pills as directed. I can promise you, your body will work itself out and you will be blessed with that wonderful little monthly pal once again

Hope this sheds even a tad bit of light on your questions.

If you would like to ask anything else (in private) email me.. i'll get back to you tomorrow

clerky31@hotmail.com

 

[Willing and Unsure]

thank you... it does put my mind at ease... a lot more to hear so many more words of wisdom from such wonderful people...

*hugs and kisses all of you*